Thousands of believers find blessings here at Infant Jesus Church. This Infant Jesus Church in Chennai stands as a beacon of hope. Let me tell you its story.
This church started as a small substation. It belonged to the Ashok Nagar Parish in 1984. Five grounds were acquired in 1989. The Catholic Welfare Association acquired them. A parish church was built later. The new church was blessed in 1996. Fr. Cyriac Illimoottil was the first Parish Priest.
But the seeds of faith were sown long before. In 1977, a small hut was erected. It served as a chapel for Our Lady of Good Health. This humble beginning paved the way for something greater.
Rev. Fr. Kanikairaj built the present shrine. The late Archbishop Dr. Casimir Gnanathickam blessed it. He named it Infant Jesus Church on January 10th, 1988. Rt. Rev. Dr. Tony Devotta served tirelessly for seven years. He developed the devotion to Infant Jesus. He is now the Bishop of Trichy.
From 1993 to 2001, Rev. Fr. A. Anthony Swamy contributed. He worked hard and developed the shrine premises. He also developed the Infant Jesus Matriculation School. Since 2001, Rev. Fr. J. Anthony Raj has continued this work. He is developing the shrine further.
The Infant Jesus Church is more than just a building. It’s a hub for social welfare activities. The church offers 24-hour prayer services. They provide scholarships and educational materials. These are for deserving poor students. It doesn’t matter what community they are from. A night school operates for less privileged children. This happens at Infant Jesus Shrine. It also takes place at St. Antony’s Chapel in Ekkattuthangal. This is a sub-station of the Infant Jesus Church.
The church conducts blood donation camps. Medical camps and eye check-up camps are conducted too. Free marriages are organized for those in need. The Naveena Swayamwararam is a matrimony meet for all people. Free meals are distributed daily to poor students. The Arputha Kuzhandai Yesu is a monthly magazine. It is available in both English and Tamil.
The Infant Jesus Church is located behind the Government I.T.I. You can reach it from Guindy bus stop. Come to Industrial Estate Police Station-Post Office. Then head towards Govt. I.T.I. If you’re coming from Guindy Railway Station. Take the subway to Industrial Estate Police Station-Post Office. Head towards Govt. I.T.I. From Meenambakkam Airport, take GST Road. Cross Nehru Statue Roundtane. Then go to Guindy Industrial Estate Police Station-Post Office. Finally, go towards Govt. I.T.I. Signals will guide you safely.
The Infant Jesus Church stands as a testament to faith. It shows dedicated service. It is a place where miracles are believed to happen. A place where the community comes together. A place where everyone is welcome.